ITV 9pm ‘Playing Nice’.

I think that watching reality would get boring. I don't mean 'Reality TV', which is very far from real life, and can (IMO) be fascinating, but stories about ordinary people doing ordinary things is not very interesting.

In order to identify with the characters there has to be some way in which we can connect with at least some of them, but it's always going to be heightened reality that makes drama.

I thought that the Social Services left a lot to be desired in this case. I realise that this must be a rare occurrence, but surely there are more robust procedures than seemed to be the case? Also, the end was daft, but once the story had progressed to that point, there was really only one way it could come to a close.

I thought that some of the dilemmas the story threw up were interesting. How would I have felt if after bonding with a baby for three years I was told that it wasn't mine? How would I feel knowing that I had a child being raised by someone else? And if the other 'father' showed signs of a personality disorder? And what about if the other child might grow up with serious problems and the one I had come to love was happy and healthy? How would an in-depth study of my family stand up to scrutiny if someone decided to try to discredit us using underhand means?

Obviously I don't know the answers, but it was interesting to think them through.

I've just bought the book - couldn't resist!

I suppose you do have to suspend reality somewhat in these dramas but there were an awful lot of plot holes.

And too many times when the explanations were taken at face value. It would make a change if the innocent parties were believed instead of it always being the lies told by the guilty parties!

If you can get past all the glitches it was worth clinging on until the end.

Allira

I'm recording it.

Every parents' nightmare.

Same here, haven’t watched it yet, and yes every parents nightmare.😖

Me too.
I think it adds to the atmosphere of a film if it's slightly askew, reality-wise.

I have watched it all and loved it! I like contemporary dramas best and am happy to suspend belief if necessary!

It’s good a little bit far fetched but I’ll stick with it.

petra

Desdemona

I have finished watching this and found it totally gripping!

I was trying to work out why the character of Myles is that way - does he have some kind of personality disorder?

What made you think that the bullying controlling narcissistic husband might have some kind of personality disorder?

Of course something is massively wrong - was wondering how that kind of person would be labelled by a psychologist.

Newatthis

My sister was swapped at birth and it is only because my mother remembered that her baby was born with lots of hair and the one baby who they brought had none. She said it was a struggle to get them to believe her as they said she wouldn't have remembered at the time!

Shocking! What a good job your mum was so insistent (they obviously didn't bother with hospital wristbands in those days)

Wow!!
That's shocking.

Makes you wonder, though, how many others it could have happened to.

My sister was swapped at birth and it is only because my mother remembered that her baby was born with lots of hair and the one baby who they brought had none. She said it was a struggle to get them to believe her as they said she wouldn't have remembered at the time!

Desdemona

I have finished watching this and found it totally gripping!

I was trying to work out why the character of Myles is that way - does he have some kind of personality disorder?

What made you think that the bullying controlling narcissistic husband might have some kind of personality disorder?

I've just seen the two episodes, and I'm surprised people were able to work out how it would end.

I've thought up multiple different endings.

I can't wait to see the next two, and I do have a theory about "who dun it".

I have finished watching this and found it totally gripping!

I was trying to work out why the character of Myles is that way - does he have some kind of personality disorder?

Sometimes it is learnt mannerisms that make children look like family members, rather than similar features. Any child brought up by a couple could come to resemble one or both parents.

flappergirl

I would've thought you'd notice a lack of familial looks. My brother and I are obviously our parents' children and each other's sibling. My son, especially when younger, looked very like me but with my mother's eye colouring. Has anyone ever observed their child or grandchildren and concluded that they look absolutely nothing like anyone else in the family or that their mannerisms or voice was different?

I volunteer with 2 sisters. Another sister often pops in.
You would never know they were related. Not just in their 3 completely different looks but in their completely different life styles.

LauraNorderr

Binge watched. Didn’t take too seriously nor pick apart the detail.
Enjoyed it for what it was. Good drama, good acting, great scenery.

Same here.

This is what I find amazing in programmes such as Coronation Street.

Someone is pregnant, possibility of two (or more) fathers, huge storylines about it all, but no one seems concerned that after the baby is born, he/she will turn out the spitting image of Fred next door, and all will be revealed.

flappergirl there are often children who don’t look like each other or anyone in a family it’s not at all unusual genetics can throw up all sorts of differences

I haven't watched it all yet and though people think it may be unlikely believe me courts, particularly family courts and Cafcass believe lies when convincing, controlling characters like this are involved. By the time investigations take place the damage is already done to the children.

Binge watched it tonight, was only going to watch one episode. It took over and held me on edge until the end.
I imagine this senario has happened to someone somewhere. It really made you think,what if?

Binge watched. Didn’t take too seriously nor pick apart the detail.
Enjoyed it for what it was. Good drama, good acting, great scenery.

I would've thought you'd notice a lack of familial looks. My brother and I are obviously our parents' children and each other's sibling. My son, especially when younger, looked very like me but with my mother's eye colouring. Has anyone ever observed their child or grandchildren and concluded that they look absolutely nothing like anyone else in the family or that their mannerisms or voice was different?

This actually happened in the UK.

Binge watched.. like someone said upthread had a prediction of what may happen.
Yes James Norton good and the other main 3great actors and the boys👌